The American Red Cross is utilizing the iconic Badger-Gopher rivalry
to help increase participation in a two-month long blood drive that
began Tuesday, by holding a competition between the two universities
called the “2012 Border Challenge”.
The challenge, which will run from Jan. 24 through Feb. 28, between UW-
Madison and the University of Minnesota is simple: The university that
raises the most blood wins bragging rights.
In addition, every donor will receive a T-shirt for participating.
Bobbi Snethen, the American Red Cross Program and Communication
Manager, said it is especially important to for students to donate
blood during this time of the year.
“We’re hoping to encourage students to come out and give blood during
the winter months and help boost supply because right now were facing
a period where inclement weather can play a big role in our
collections,” she said.
While using head-to-head rivalries between universities is a new
method for the Red Cross, Snethen said it is not the first time the
organization has held a competition within the Big Ten to facilitate
participation in a blood drive.
She said two years ago the American Red Cross held a “Big Ten
Challenge” between every school in the conference, but it was not as
successful as they hoped because some schools lacked participation.
However, Snethen said she is optimistic about the outcome of this
drive given the success they have met with UW students in recent years.
CORRECTION: Each donor at the winning school does not receive goods for participating.
